Gun control: 11 bills already introduced in Congress

Some of the weapons collected in Wednesday's Los Angeles Gun Buyback event are showcased Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 during a news conference at the LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office says the weapons collected Wednesday included 901 handguns, 698 rifles, 363 shotguns and 75 assault weapons. The buyback is usually held in May but was moved up in response to the Dec. 14 massacre of students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Gun control: 11 bills already introduced in Congress

After years of silence on the subject of gun control, Congress is gearing up for debate.

For years, gun control has not been a topic of debate in Congress. But after the horrific shootings at a Connecticut elementary school, the issue of gun violence has returned to the forefront.

Congress has only been in session for about a week, but House Democrats already have proposed 11 bills to restrict sales of guns or bullets, expand background checks and promote gun safety. Two Republicans, meanwhile, have proposed repealing the Gun-Free School Zones Act.

Most of these bills will go nowhere, as evidenced by their lack of cosponsors. Some, such as the Blair Holt federal gun licensing bill, are perennials that die in committee. But they do show that the range of opinion on what to do about guns has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Below, a closer look at the 11 proposals.

What it would do: Require background checks for all gun sales, closing the gun-show loophole. Require background checks for employees of gun stores. Require gun owners report lost or stolen firearms. Set new rules for concealed weapons permits.

What it would do: Require background checks for all gun sales, closing the gun-show loophole. Require owners of handguns and semiautomatic weapons to register for a federal firearms license. End private sales of guns. Require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms. Create a federal clearinghouse for data on gun-related injuries and deaths.

What it would do: Raise the minimum age for owning a gun from 18 to 21. Increase penalties on juveniles convicted of a second gun-related offense. Increase penalties for selling or giving a gun to the under-aged. Require gun buyers to have a secure gun storage or safety device. Require parents or legal guardians to ensure that an adult accompanies their child to a gun show. Provide grants for local safety classes for parents and children.